Server locator points are used in a Configuration Manager 2007 hierarchy to complete client site assignment on the intranet and help clients find management points when they cannot find that information through Active Directory Domain Services.

Intranet clients use Active Directory Domain Services as their preferred method to complete site assignment and find management points. However, clients must use a server locator point if the Active Directory schema is not extended for Configuration Manager 2007 or the site is not published to Active Directory Domain Services, or if clients do not belong to the same Active Directory forest as the site server's forest.

You need only one server locator point for the Configuration Manager 2007 hierarchy, even if you have multiple sites. In a multi-site hierarchy, install the server locator point in the central site. If you install a server locator point in the middle of the hierarchy, it will have no knowledge of sites above it in the hierarchy.

You do not need to install a server locator point if both of the following conditions apply:

You have extended the Active Directory schema for Configuration Manager 2007, and all sites in the hierarchy are published to Active Directory Domain Services.

You do not manage either workgroup clients or clients from another forest.

Additionally, you do not need to install a server locator point if all sites are configured for Internet-based client management.

Install a server locator point if either of the following conditions applies:

You have not extended the Active Directory schema for Configuration Manager 2007 or not all sites in the hierarchy are published to Active Directory Domain Services.